Unhappy Cichlids

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by lyndon, Jul 18, 2013.

  1. lyndon

    lyndon

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Durban
    Hay guys.

    I need some help. I woke this morning to a very unhappy cichlid. It is not eating, or swimming and seems to have lost some colour. they have been in the tank for a while now(over a month) and they have been very happy. I have not change anything, so i am a little confused on why they dont look happy.

    Please help. I dont want it to die :sad2:
     
  2. Guest




  3. dash

    dash

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    3,194
    Likes Received:
    18
    Location:
    Durban
    Did you test your water? How often do you do a water change? What fish are they? You need to complete the questionear
     
  4. L~C~G

    L~C~G

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2012
    Messages:
    353
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Gauteng - Edenvale
    Maybe try telling them a joke? :p

    Seriously though, we need more info on your setup, water, what you keep etc.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2013
  5. tracyp

    tracyp Lotus

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2010
    Messages:
    1,619
    Likes Received:
    31
    Location:
    Stanford, Western Cape
  6. DCWarHound

    DCWarHound

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2013
    Messages:
    1,059
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Pretoria,Sinoville
    Whats your tank parameters?

    Have you added anything recently over the past week/weeks?

    What type of cichlid is it?.Larger cichlids are known for their mood swings,especially Oscars.
     
  7. OP
    lyndon

    lyndon

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Durban
    ok my Ph is 7.5 and the temp of the tank is at 25. the nitrate levels are at 12.5mg/l. i have not added or removed anything in the last week. the sick fish is a venustus. i do a 30% water change once a week. there are no plants in the tank. the fish have been living together for over a year with no problems.
     
  8. OP
    lyndon

    lyndon

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Durban
    they look like they have lost colour, not eating and just laying on the bottom of the tank
     
  9. bees

    bees

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2010
    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Alberton, Johannesburg
    lol, sounds likes it's in the mood for hunting.:idea:
    Do you any smaller fish in the tank?
     
  10. OP
    lyndon

    lyndon

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Durban
    lol i hope that is the problem, there are other smaller cichlids but they seem to not be worried by the bigger venustus.
     
  11. L~C~G

    L~C~G

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2012
    Messages:
    353
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Gauteng - Edenvale
    You posted a pic of your tank having been re-scaped which looked pretty cloudy. Not sure if that is from moving things around or if it could possibly be an ammonia spike? For me, when in doubt, I do a water change. If something is out of whack or there are toxins/ ammonia etc present in the water, that will immediately help.

    I suspect the problem though is that the circulation in your tank is less than adequate, you posted elsewhere about the oily film on the top of your water. This is only present when there is little to no movement on the surface of the water. Get an airstone in there quick or get the surface of the tank moving with your filter outlet or powerhead as soon as you can. Do another water change and dont feed again today.

    A Venustus is a very active fish and will be the first to feel a lack of oxygen in the water.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2013
  12. OP
    lyndon

    lyndon

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Durban
    I did do the re scape, it was just cloudy from the disturbance of the soil. cause the levels were all fine after the rescape.
    i have put an air pump into the tank, and have aimed my filter to disturb the surface a lot. so lets wait and see what happens.
     
  13. L~C~G

    L~C~G

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2012
    Messages:
    353
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Gauteng - Edenvale
    Im sure that will sort it out.
     
  14. OP
    lyndon

    lyndon

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Durban
    thank you so much.
    I dont wana loss it.
     
  15. L~C~G

    L~C~G

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2012
    Messages:
    353
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Gauteng - Edenvale
    How are you fish doing today?
     
  16. OP
    lyndon

    lyndon

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Durban
    they are much happier. Thank you so much. do you think putting a better filter will help. I was looking at a canister filter. I want the tank to be super clear all the time and the fish to look their best. Any suggestions?
     
  17. dash

    dash

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    3,194
    Likes Received:
    18
    Location:
    Durban
    You can't go ring with a cannister filter.
     
  18. DCWarHound

    DCWarHound

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2013
    Messages:
    1,059
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Pretoria,Sinoville
    How many litres does your tank hold.

    If it's large (more then 300L) then you can even fit 2 medium sized cannisters filters on it.

    I have 2x 1200lph cannister filters hooked up to my 400L.
     
  19. OP
    lyndon

    lyndon

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Durban
    the tank is just under 300l. i Thought of getting a canister filter for a 500l tank
     
  20. dash

    dash

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    3,194
    Likes Received:
    18
    Location:
    Durban
    Yes you can you want a filter that can turn at least 8 times your water per hour. In my view its not the rate of turnover but the filter media and surface area for back terai that the filter can hold. Many good brands out there.
     

Recent Posts

Loading...
Similar Threads - Unhappy Cichlids Forum Date
Unhappy with treatment of Bettas at LFS General Discussions Jan 16, 2015
UnHappy with APPLE Advert airing on TV General Discussions Jul 27, 2012
Wanted: American Cichlids, Discus and Plekos Wanted/Swop/Freebies Jan 8, 2025
Wanted: Malawi Cichlids Wanted/Swop/Freebies Oct 1, 2024
Wanted: Looking for Red Devil & Midas Cichlids Wanted/Swop/Freebies Jan 22, 2024
Thinking of starting a new tank - Cichlids General Fish Discussions Jan 11, 2024
Wanted: Ram Cichlids Wanted/Swop/Freebies Oct 4, 2023

Share This Page